Panerai creates special limited editions for their boutiques around the world. This Madrid Boutique Edition is limited to 150 pieces and was released in 2010. The well known 44 mm case with iconic crown protector, is executed in stainless steel and it features an embossed ‘torpedo’ on the matte black dial. Inside ticks the über-reliable ETA 6497/2, or caliber OP II as Panerai calls it after engraving the standard bridges with the brand name.

The movement – Calibre OP-II

This movement has been used by Panerai since 1997, when the Vendôme Group (later Richemont) bought the brand. Caliber OP II is a manually wound movement, featuring hours/minutes and off-center seconds and offers 46 hours of power reserve. As said it is an über-reliable movement, originally developed in the 1950’s as a pocket watch movement. It has been in production continuously since it was introduced by Unitas. Later ETA bought the Unitas and kept producing the movements, which were available in two different version; the basic 6497/1 and the 6497/2 elaboré version with an Incabloc shock protection and some basic decoration. Panerai boosted the standard movement from 18,000 vph to 21,600 vph and also increased the power reserve from 42 hours to 56 hours.

The 2010 Boutique Editions

In 2010 Panerai created 10 identical Boutique Editions for the boutiques in Firenze, Hong Kong, Taipei, Paris, Tokyo, Beverly Hills, New York, Madrid, Geneva and Shanghai. The main difference is the engraving in the case back that each time features an engraving that is special for each boutique.

The dial

The matte black dial with large numerals at 12, 3 and 6 is as iconic as the case and the crown guard. It’s a so-called sausage dial, with painted SuperLuminova Arabic numerals and stick markers. All the 2010 Boutique Editions feature the same dial with embossed ‘torpedo’, which is also nicknamed ‘Pig dial’.

This torpedo is actually a human torpedo, a type of rideable submarine that was used as secret naval weapons in World War II. It was used by Italy, and later Britain, and deployed in the Mediterranean and used to attack ships in enemy harbors. They were electrically propelled torpedoes, with two crewmen in diving suits riding astride. These human torpedoes were steered at slow speed to the enemy ship, where the detachable warhead was then used as a limpet mine. Afterwards the crewmen rode away on the torpedo.

These human torpedoes or manned torpedoes were nick named “Maiale” or “Pig”, hence the nickname ‘Pig dial’ for Panerai watch featuring this symbol on the dial.

Now some more stunning photos made by Markus Behnke. If you like to see more of Marcus’s photos, then you can visit the Watch Lounge.

4 responses

Just wanted to correct a small info related to the OP2 movement. The initial Unitas beats at 18,800 and has a 42 hours reserve. Panerai modifies this movement so that it reaches 21,600 beats with a 56 hours reserve (mine even lasts up to 60 hours)